The place where I used to do things…

I Enjoy Holiday Music

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen

But do you recall
JD’s favorite holiday songs of all?

From my iPod Holiday Playlist of 137 songs, I have culled 48 songs to be featured on a special 2-volume “Have Yourself a Merry I Do Things Christmas” CD. Because I already took up half the Internet with my U2 post, I’m listing only my Top 8 Holiday Songs here.

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JD’s Top 8 Holiday Songs

1. “Walking in the Air”

This is a truly beautiful song from the classic British animated special based on Raymond Briggs‘s book The Snowman. Sung by Welsh choirboy Aled Jones, the song accompanies the most wonderful scene from the TV special. Watch the magic here and you’ll never look at flying snowmen the same way again.

2. “Welcome Christmas”

You may not recognize the title, but I’ll bet you all know this song. Here, let me sing a bit:

Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!

Got it? Here’s another hint:

Every Who down in Who-ville,
the tall and the small,
Was singing!
Without any presents at all!

If you still haven’t guessed it, thismight help. And if you still don’t know the song after watching the clip, pass me your servings of Who pudding and roast beast—this holiday’s not for Grinches like you.

3. “Christmas with the Devil”

The devil likes Christmas too, y’know, tho not everyone feels it’s appropriate to acknowledge it. Spinal Tap was supposed to sing this holiday favorite on their 1992 reunion special, but

NBC-TV refused to allow the band to perform it . . . saying its lyrics promoted evil, although Tap did perform the song on NBC’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 1984. Derek: ‘We’re not advocating [Satanism]. Man’s relationship with the Supreme Evil One is a very private affair. The song is just a depiction, imagining what’s happening with Satan this time of year.’ Nigel: ‘Think about it from the devil’s point of view is all we’re saying.’

Thank YouTube (and, possibly, the devil) for the chance to watch this rare performance.

4. “Heat Miser”

Snow Miser or Heat Miser? People have fought for centuries over who makes the better Miser. They both have great songs, dance routines, and awesome back-up singers. I go with Heat Miser every time, maybe because of Snow Miser‘s eerie resemblance to John Kerry, but you decide for yourselves:

(I love that there’s a Wikipedia entry for Heat Miser):

His archnemesis is his half-brother, Snow Miser, and his mother is none other than Mother Nature. Father Time is believed to be their father.

5. “The Hanukkah Song”

See, that’s why this post is titled “Holiday Songs” instead of “Christmas Songs.” Holiday songs are for everyone, as this song so cleverly demonstrates: “You don’t need ‘Deck the Halls’ or ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ ‘cuz you can spin the dreidle with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock—both Jewish!” Laugh along with Adam Sandler as he points out all the famous people who celebrate Hannukah.

6. “Jingle Bells as Interpreted by Barking Dogs”

This was a childhood favorite, as it annoyed our parents every time it came on the radio. Surprisingly, I find that many people today still find this song annoying. Weird. This site lists the lyrics as

Bark, bark, arf
Bark, bark, arf
Bark, bark, woof, woof, arf

Bark, bark, bark,
Arf, bark, bark, bark
Bark, woof, woof, woof, woof

which, as far as I’m concerned, translates to “Kids, play this song at full volume and annoy your parents, woof.” Sing along with the barking dogs and see how many people you can annoy.

7. “Do They Know It’s Christmas”

Remember when Boy George was popular? When George Michael wasn’t a perv? When Duran Duran was hot? This video will take you back to that happy time while also reminding you that the song, written by (Sir) Bob Geldof and Midge (Ultravox) Ure, raised money and awareness for Ethiopian famine relief.

Things to watch for:

Phil Collins takes this way too seriously

Sting sings “the bitter sting of tears”

Bono is really short

Midge Ure is sporting a rather unfortunate ponytail

It’s Bananarama!

8. “Little Drummer Boy” by David Bowie and Bing Crosby

The harmonies are just beautiful, David Bowie totally outshines Bing Crosby (sorry, old people!), and although the opening patter is corny and cringe-inducing, it’s a treat to hear these two cultures collide. The video is well worth watching for David Bowie’s pixie haircut and cool, scary, pre-veneers teeth. Pretty thing, indeed.

Tell me your favorite holiday songs. If you leave a comment mentioning a song I’ve never heard of, you will be eligible to win a copy of the aforementioned special 2-volume “Have Yourself a Merry I Do Things Christmas” CD.